My name is Hikari Sora, and I'm not exactly what you'd call "normal." That word doesn't fit me, never has. Not when you're born with wings growing out of your back and a Quirk that makes people either stare at you in awe or flinch like they're expecting judgment from above. I can't blame them. If I saw a guy with glowing white wings striding through the streets, I'd probably stare too.
I stretch my wings slightly, the joints popping as the morning sun filters through the windows of Class 1-A's dormitory common room. It's quiet—rare for this place, but I like it. The stillness lets me think, lets me gather myself for the day ahead. It's not every day you get to train to be a hero, especially at U.A. High School, the place where legends are born.
"Yo, Sora!"
I glance over my shoulder to see Kaminari bounding into the room like a puppy who's just seen a squirrel. His energy is infectious, I'll give him that. He flops down on the couch opposite me, his grin wide.
"Morning," I reply, my voice calm. Too calm, probably, compared to his. It's not that I don't feel things. I do. I just… keep them under wraps.
"You ready for today's combat training?" Kaminari wiggles his eyebrows like he knows something I don't. "I heard Aizawa's bringing in some big stuff for us."
Combat training. My pulse quickens, though I keep my expression neutral. It's not nerves—I thrive in the chaos of battle. My Quirk, The Angel, was built for it. Manipulating light, soaring through the sky, overwhelming opponents with strength that makes them think twice about underestimating me. But still… there's something about Aizawa-sensei's training that always manages to push us to our limits.
"I'm always ready" I say simply, standing up. My wings stretch to their full span, brushing the ceiling before folding neatly behind me. Kaminari whistles.
"Man, those things are unfair. You're like the poster boy for hero material."
I don't respond. What can I say? It's not like I chose to be born like this. Sure, having wings and a Quirk like mine sounds amazing on paper, but in practice… Let's just say being called "Angel Boy" by your classmates and strangers isn't as glamorous as it sounds.
The training grounds are alive with noise by the time we get there. Shouts, laughter, and the occasional BOOM from Bakugo's explosions fill the air. My classmates are a wild bunch, but they're family in a way I've never had before. I find myself scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
And there she is.
Mizuki Akari stands near the edge of the field, tying back her long, dark hair with the efficiency of someone who's ready to fight. Her Quirk, Shadow Dance, lets her meld into shadows and move faster than the eye can follow. She catches me looking and raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips.
"See something you like, Sora?" she teases, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
I snort, walking over to join her. "Just wondering if you're ready to get your ass kicked today."
"Please. The day you beat me is the day Bakugo gives hugs for free."
I grin despite myself. There's something about Akari that always puts me at ease. Maybe it's her confidence, or the way she treats me like I'm just another guy, not some divine being with wings and a glowing aura.
"Pair up!" Aizawa-sensei's voice cuts through the chatter like a blade. "Today's focus is teamwork under pressure. You'll be working in pairs to complete an obstacle course while fending off simulated villain attacks. And yes, before anyone asks, I did make this more difficult than last time."
Groans ripple through the group, but I can't help the flicker of excitement that sparks in my chest. Difficult is good. Difficult is where I shine.
Aizawa's eyes sweep over us, calculating. "Sora, you're with Akari."
I glance at her, and she gives me a wicked grin. "Guess you're stuck with me, Angel Boy."
The course is a nightmare. Twisted metal, falling debris, simulated villains popping out from the shadows. It's designed to break us down, to see how far we can push ourselves before we collapse.
Akari and I move like a well-oiled machine. She's fast, darting through the chaos like a wraith, her movements fluid and precise. I keep to the air, my wings beating rhythmically as I fire beams of concentrated light at our opponents. The simulated villains shatter under our combined assault, disappearing into bursts of static.
"Watch your six!" Akari calls, and I twist mid-air just in time to see a mechanical arm swinging toward me. I dodge, countering with a blinding flash of light that leaves the machine disoriented.
"Thanks," I call down to her.
"Don't mention it. You can repay me by not screwing up." Her voice is laced with humor, but there's an edge of sincerity to it. We both know that in the real world, one mistake could mean death.
The final challenge is a towering wall of steel, slick with oil and nearly impossible to climb. Akari eyes it, then looks at me.
"You think you can carry both of us over that?"
"Is that a serious question?" I crouch, offering her a hand. "Grab on."
She hesitates for a split second—pride, probably—but then she takes my hand and climbs onto my back. Her arms loop around my neck, and I feel the weight of her trust as she murmurs, "Don't drop me."
"Never."
My wings spread wide, catching the light as I launch us into the air. The wind rushes past us, and for a moment, there's nothing but the sound of my heartbeat and the steady rhythm of my wings. Akari's grip tightens, but she doesn't say a word.
We clear the wall just as a burst of simulated gunfire erupts below us. I twist, shielding Akari with my body as we land hard on the other side.
"You okay?" I ask, glancing over my shoulder.
She nods, breathless but smiling. "You're not half-bad, Sora."
"Only half?"
Before she can reply, a buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the exercise. We're the first to finish. Aizawa watches us with his usual unreadable expression, but there's a hint of approval in his eyes.
"Not bad," he says. "But don't get cocky. The real world isn't this forgiving."
Later, back in the dorms, I sit on the roof, letting the cool night air wash over me. The stars are bright, and for once, I feel at peace.
"Mind if I join you?"
I turn to see Akari climbing up, her silhouette dark against the sky. She sits beside me, her shoulder brushing mine.
"You did good today," she says after a moment.
"So did you."
She looks at me, her expression softer than usual. "You know, for someone with wings, you're pretty grounded."
I laugh quietly. "And for someone who hides in shadows, you're not half-bad at shining."
Her smile is small but genuine. "Careful, Sora. I might start thinking you like me."
I don't answer, but my heart beats a little faster. Maybe she's not wrong.
And maybe, just maybe.